Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Success Is A Side Effect

“[S]uccess is the side effect of making better choices every day,” says the author in the introduction to her breezy yet sensible self-help book. She then sets out to show how some basic actions and attitude adjustments can help turn a humdrum life into a great one. If you can’t get ahead at work, have a man who won’t commit, are drowning in debt or struggling with a health crisis, the author offers words of wisdom. Her “Prescription for Happiness” encompasses 10 tips, including “[p]ursue your passions, not people,” and “[n]ever close your heart unless it’s temporarily under reconstruction.” Each chapter explores a different life lesson in detail (such as “[c]hange your mind often” and “love yourself first”), ending with a useful bullet-pointed summary. Throughout, Anderson, a former columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is perky but stern, and her tone is a mix of you-go- girl optimism and no-nonsense straight talk. But there’s sound advice behind such quips as, “Always act from a position of power, not fear” and “Don’t ignore the yellow lights on the dashboard of your life.” When she bluntly proclaims, “you ain’t Beyoncé,” it’s not a criticism but a counterpoint to the idea that success means excelling at everything. She drives home this concept with relatable personal stories of struggle (such as when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer) and triumph (such as her graduation from dental school). Stories of accomplished women in a variety of fields, including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and actress Angelina Jolie, help further illustrate Anderson’s lessons as she counsels women to look inward to find their own definitions of success.
A practical guide for women on how to find happiness and boost self-worth.”
-Kirkus Reviews

Welcome to my blog!

I'm a life learner with a background that covers everything from fry cook at Burger King to private practice to mother of two. My friends voted me "Most Witty" back in high school. I have a doctorate, but that's still my favorite credential. I am a professional mOe-tivational speaker with a knack for illustrating the point of difficult life lessons with a pinch of wit. This blog is simply the fun and frank observations of a middle-aged woman who's not afraid to speak her age or her mind.